Press Week Service: Cleric Tasks Journalists On Holding Leaders Accountable

By Frederick Peters, KADUNA

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: The Assistant Priest of the Cathedral of St Michael, Diocese of Kaduna, Anglican Communion, Venerable Dr. Tunde Taofik Yusuf, on Sunday, during the Kaduna NUJ Press week thanksgiving Service admonished Journalists not to give up in holding leaders accountable, as the fourth Estate of the Realm.

Yusuf prayed for Kaduna State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), for God’s protection, blessings and success for the 2024 edition of its annual Press Week slated for Tuesday, at Arewa House Kaduna, by 10am.

Shortly after the prayer session, the Cleric charged journalists not to give up in the face of intimidation and harassment while performing their constitutional role in holding government accountable for governance.

“Without journalists the entire society is in a mess, there will be no accountability, there will be no information flow, we will be in total darkness about what is happening around us”. He said.

Priest Yusuf called on God to protect journalists and their jobs, just as he urged them to be resilient, saying, “don’t give up in holding government accountable, continue to perform your professional obligations without fear or favour”.

He further expressed empathy with Kaduna NUJ over the recent kidnapping and subsequent release of two journalists in the State.

“We heard over the news that two of your colleagues were kidnapped. We thanked God for their freedom. May God continue to protect you all. Don’t be intimidated over the incident, continue to do your work with only the fear of God by reporting the truth to the society.

“Be upright in the course of your duty, and report accordingly without any fear or favour, because your uprightness will lead to progress and development of our dear country, Nigeria” he added.

The Sunday prayer service for the week offered journalists who were in attendance at the Church the opportunity to pray for the progress, unity and safety of journalists across the country.

Kaduna NUJ Veteran journalists; Elder John Fwah, Chief Olu Ajayi, Asabe Ndoma, Nathaniel Jibrin, Noah Ebije were in attendance.

Others at the church service include the Vice chairman of NUJ, Daniel Duniya, Chairman of Kabido Chapel, Comrade Frederick Peters, among other reporters and cameramen from NTA and KSTV stations.

The Chairman of Kaduna NUJ Council Hajia Asmau Halilu Yawo, represented by the Vice Chairman, Comrade Daniel Duniya, appreciated members who turned up for the prayer service, and urged all members to grace the press week event on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

The Church service came on the heels of Juma’at prayer which was held penultimate Friday at the Ansar-Deen Central Mosque.

Highlights of the Press week programme include a lecture with the theme “ The Role Of The Media In Holding Government Accountable: Prospects And Challenges.”

The Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani will be the Special Guest of Honour, the National President, NUT, Comrade Titus Amba will chair the occasion, while the Speaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas is expected to grace the occasion as the Distinguished Guest of Honour, among other things.